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Analysis of the Employment Department's report shows that the "employment services" sector, which includes temporary agency jobs, has been particularly hit hard this recession. The decline in February puts that sector's job losses at 28.7 percent since a year ago.

Temporary workers often face difficulties qualifying for UI benefits, due to eligibility rules that penalize part-time workers and that disregard up to six months of the most recent work experience when calculating minimum hour and income requirements.
The legislature should heed today's news by moving forward on a package of bills that help part-time and low-wage workers: SB 461, which allows unemployed workers to receive job training; SB 462, which would create an alternative base period; SB 463, which would allow part-time workers to collect unemployment insurance; HB 3045, which would provide unemployed workers with a dependent allowance; and HB 3140, which would end the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment insurance.

Unemployment insurance is good for workers, businesses and employers. Making it work better should be one of the highest priorities for our legislative leaders in light of today's news.